Love Live! The School Idol Movie (2015 anime movie) review

After watching both seasons of Love Live, I 150% had to watch this movie considering it takes place immediately after season two. Over the course of 2015, I have become extremely obsessed with anything and everything Love Live related. I never ever buy advance tickets to even the biggest blockbusters of all time, yet I bought advance tickets for this one. That shows how much I wanted to see this movie.

Plot

The events of the movie start as season two ends when Hanayo receives a notification about another Love Live competition taking place but this time at the famed Tokyo Dome. The organizers want the girls to perform at the event as it will give the event credibility as it continues to grow. As part of the promotion, they are flown out to New York City to do a performance in Times Square.

Knowing that this is their last run as school idols, they decide that they should go out on a good note and decide to throw one last concert featuring all school idols including their rivals, A-Rise.

Good

As a hardcore fan of the series, this movie sparked all kinds of emotions ranging from happiness, laughter, and even tears. Any movie that can trigger the feels did its job as a movie and an art form. All characters showed why they have their own legion of fans.

I absolutely loved the songs. “Angelic Angel” is now one of my favorite songs. “? ← Heartbeat” was so funny while “Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete” was full of fun. “Sunny Day” brought smiles but brought tears to those that knew it was the end.

Bad

The conclusion of the movie made me realize that this may actually be the end of the timeline of μ’s as a group with the nine members of Honoka, Kotori, Umi, Hanayo, Rin, Maki, Nico, Eli, and Nozomi. I didn’t want to let go of something I’ve invested my time, money, and emotions into.

Overview

Although I was sad at the end of the movie, I was glad I went to go see it. Although the group itself disbanded, the concerts will still go on. Merchandise will still be released. The School Idol Festival keeps releasing characters. Technically, the group is still around. It’s unfortunate that the anime series will not go on.